Strengthening Health Systems:
Achieving Development Impact that Leads to Sustainable Change

Why is strengthening health systems important to the US?

• Protects the U.S. taxpayers' investment in reducing fertility and improving the health of people in USAID-assisted countries.

• Ensures improvements continue after donors depart.

What does strengthening health systems accomplish?

• Develops self-reliance of USAID-assisted countries by building capacity to manage their own health care resources.

• Maximizes the benefits from funds expended -- whether the source of funds is the public budget or households.

• Creates capacity in financing, organization, management and service delivery essential to viable health sectors.

• Increases availability and accessibility of cost-effective, quality health care services.

How does USAID carry out health system strengthening?

• By addressing the obstacles to service delivery in the Agency’s special emphasis programs (e.g., population, child survival)

• Through cross-cutting initiatives that address the needs of the entire population, not just those who are served by the emphasis programs.

• Through collaboration with host country partners and other donors.

Where is system strengthening most effective?

• The importance of system strengthening in promoting durable changes and long-term success of USAID’s efforts is demonstrated by experience in EVERY region.

What was the Most Significant Lesson Learned?

• Donor dependency can be reduced and ultimately eliminated in countries where viable systems are established.